Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in media use research

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us - globally, nationally and locally - we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Do you want to take part in shaping the future?

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRdMR-PhbBQ&t=4s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRdMR-PhbBQ&t=4s)

There is a vacancy for a postdoctoral research fellow position within media use research at MediaFutures: Research Centre for Responsible Media Technology & Innovation, researching young people's media use. The position is for a period of 3 years.

MediaFutures is a new centre for research-based innovation at the Department for information science and media studies, University of Bergen, and will be located at Media City Bergen. The centre is a part of the Norwegian Research Council's Research-based Innovation scheme. MediaFutures will in cooperation with industry partners from news media and media technology research topics like media experiences, recommender technology, content production and analysis, content interaction and availability, and Norwegian language technology. The goal is to develop responsible technological solutions to societal challenges like AI, fake news, echo chambers and political polarization. The results will be new digital tools, analytical methods and content types for the future of media. The center will also perform research training within media technology and innovation. This will create outputs such as new patents, prototypes, research articles and software, as well and innovative start-up companies.

Read more about the centre at www.mediafutures.no

This postdoc position will be part of work package WP1 Understanding media experiences, more specifically in the task 1.5 Understanding future media users.

• The postdoctoral fellow will plan and carry out exploratory ethnography on media experiences in the lifeworld of young people, producing contextualized insights into key developments in media use. The goal is to provide a deeper understanding of the media users of the future, with an open and user-focused approach.
• The applicant is expected to consider how methodological approaches and empirical insights can advance audience analysis protocols or otherwise contribute to responsible innovation in public service broadcasting, specified through collaboration with the Norwegian public service broadcaster NRK.
• The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to contribute with novel ideas on how to approach the tasks, for instance by proposing specific case studies and methodological approaches. Upon recruitment, the successful candidate will refine the study in collaboration with NRK and the work package leaders.

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree within media studies or a related discipline, such as for instance sociology or social anthropology, or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded.
• Experience from qualitative research, particularly with ethnographic methods
• Insight into relevant research fields such as audience and media use research, interdisciplinary youth studies, or digital culture scholarship
• Understanding of the role of public service broadcasting in Norwegian society
• Work independently and in a structured manner, as well as have the ability to cooperate with others.
• Proficiency in both written and oral English
• A good command of the Norwegian language

Potential candidates may be invited to the department for an interview.

Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with  research profile of the Department , please see www.uib.no/infomedia, and particularly with Bergen Media Use Research Group, please see https://www.uib.no/en/rg/mediause

The position of postdoctoral research fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. The fixed-term period for this position is 3 years. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.

• Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
• Salary at pay grade 60 - 62 (code 1352) on the government salary scale upon appointment (equivalent to NOK 535 200 - 555 800,- per year). Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well qualified applicant.
• A good and professionally challenging working environment.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits (https://www.uib.no/en/foremployees/30808/welfare)

For more information about moving to Bergen and Norway, please visit https://www.uib.no/en/node/133625/, and https://www.uib.no/en/hr/74243/what-can-university-bergen-offer-its-employees.

• A cover letter with a brief account of research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• An ideas sketch of maximum three pages for a postdoctoral project responding to the work tasks, briefly outlining potential case studies, methods, publication and progress plans
• The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be the main advisor from the PhD programme.
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas and official confirmation that the doctoral thesis has been submitted.
• Relevant certificates/references.
• List of any works of a scientific nature (publication list).
• A maximum of five publications in your name

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

Applications sent by e-mail will not be evaluated.

Additional information about the position can be obtained by contacting work package leader Brita Ytre-Arne, brita.ytre-arne@uib.no or Centre Director Christoph Trattner.

Practical questions about the application process should be directed to Adviser - HR, Bodil Hægland, bodil.hagland@uib.no.

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

We encourage women to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

Further information about our employment process can be found here (https://www.uib.no/hr/74251/ansettelsesprosessen).